I love the japanese sword arts, im starting this some in all three, and maybe some Europene fencing to, Eepee to be exact. But mainly Kendo Iaido and Kenjutsu, anyone have any opinions? And no, i don’t care that there not gona help me on teh street:) heh
Ride the winds of Shinobi…
I also love swords. A few years ago I tried to find a Kendo School, but there aren’t any in my area, so I signed up for a renaisance sword class. It was great. One of the first things that I learned is that you can’t win with force or strength. This helped a lot in learning to use soft force to overcome the hard. Also, in this style of fighting both hands are used so you don’t become too one sided. The only problem I ran into was in the foot work. It was very different from my Wing Chun footwork and in some ways, it messed up my Wing Chun footwork for a while
I envy you. I would love to start learning iaido.
K. Mark Hoover
Fewf
Thank youfor your feedback! I thuoght some troll was going to say “Why would you wanna learn those? You can’t use those on the streat!” Blahblahblah, but i like em just for that reason, cuz theve been preserved sense anciant times, your learning a part of history. Plus swords are just damn cool:)
Ride the winds of Shinobi…
I study Iaido and I think its great. As far as application it does help in empty hand technique if you study a sword based art, like aikijutsu. Some of the principles can also be used with other weapons.
Anthroman
I have two swords…
…but no teacher. On is a WWII blade that is low quality but hand made. It is heavy.
The other is a tachi (older than a katana and a little longer) from about late 1300’s. This is like a religious relic to me. It is a curious feeling to sit in seiza, holding in your hands a sword that was made before the great plagues took Europe. I try to imagine its life.
Word of Caution
My Sifu studied Iaido and had one of those sharp reproduction 440 stainless steel swords that you usually see selling for $60.00 to $120.00. The sword is actually decent for what it is and it is very sharp. Unfortunately the constant drawing of the sword cuts threw the shieth and has left a large scar on the palm of his left hand. After that happened he learned that several of the other students had similar mishaps. So if you practice with a sharp sword, be careful and check the condition of the shieth frequently. 
tourism
Japan to boost tourism with focus on martial arts culture
By Kathryn Wortley/ Posted on 22 October, 2024 15:49
The Japan Sports Agency is aiming for martial arts to become a greater tourism resource with the launch of new experiences and activities under its Bud Tourism programme.
Part of Japan Sport Tourism, which also promotes snow sports, outdoor pursuits like cycling and kayaking, and urban activities such as skateboarding and BWX biking, Bud Tourism aims to offer journeys into the heart of Japanese martial arts, bud, which translates to ‘martial way’.
Japan is inviting visitors to explore its world of martial arts through unique experiences and activities
Experiences are available across Japan, in martial arts as varied as judo, kendo, karate, sumo, aikido, kyudo (archery) and iaido (the art of swordsmanship). Some include tours in picturesque, cultural or historical places, and unique dining, to offer visitors “an increased sense of Japan”, according to Japan Sport Tourism.
The kendo experience, available in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa, features an introduction to samurai, a traditional ceremony, striking instruction, practice and a match. One two-hour session is available for up to 200 pax, at 18,000 yen (US$120) per person and includes a professional guide/instructor, rental of kendo armour and other equipment and a towel.
In Okinawa, the birthplace of karate, the Okinawa Karate Kaikan offers a 30-minute tile-splitting experience twice daily, either in front of the facility’s historic dojo or inside. For 3,000 yen per person, a tour of the Okinawa Karate Museum is included.
Visitors who prefer to watch can choose from several options including the Iai Shrine Samurai Show in Yamagata Prefecture. Up to 40 pax can enjoy a demonstration of iaido for 50,000 yen per person.
One 2 hour kendo session sounds brutal for a nooB.